Haka is the generic name for all Maori dances. Today, Haka is defined as that part of the Maori dance repertoire where the men are to the fore with the women lending vocal support in the rear. Most Haka seen today are Haka taparahi, Haka without weapons. More than any aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race. The Haka is not merely a past time of the Maori but was also a custom of high social importance in the welcoming and entertainment of visitors. Tribal reputation rose and fell based on their ability to perform the Haka. The Haka reflected the concerns and issues of the time, of defiance and protest, of factual occurrences and events at any given time.
History of the Haka
The first use of the haka was attributed to the chief Tinirau and some of his womenfolk. Tinirau desired revenge for the killing of a pet whale, so he sent a hunting party of women to find the man responsible, an old tohunga or priest called Kae. The women didn't know what Kae looked like, but they knew he had uneven teeth that overlapped. When the women arrived at Kae's village they performed the haka to force a smile from the men in order to uncover Kae's identity. Kae was captured and taken back to Tinirau's village where he was killed.
Meaning of the Haka
To most people, the haka is a war dance. This is understandable as many have seen the haka performed as a pre-battle challenge to their opponents.
But the word "haka" simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance. While they are the correct terms to associate with the haka, they do not do justice to the life force, the actions, words, rhythm, themes, meaning, style or history that are the haka. While there are many variations between the types of war dance, the common feature is that they are all performed with weapons. The elaborate form of the traditional challenge is not often seen these days. It is largely reserved for special occasions, such as visits by senior dignitaries.
How the Haka is used Today
New Zealanders have grown accustomed to the use of the Haka by sporting teams. They thrill to the spectacle of the All Blacks forming ranks prior to kick off. The modern All Blacks perform the Haka with passion and pride. They have reclaimed the dignity and mystique attached to this traditional art form and in the process, increased its recognition as an icon of New Zealand.
The Haka has come to symbolise the power of the All Blacks and their status in the world of rugby. The team leaves an impression of invincibility and ruthlessness. That impression is in no small part due to the potency with which the All Blacks perform the haka. New Zealand trade delegations and other official functions overseas are increasingly requesting haka groups to accompany them. New Zealanders increasingly recognise that the haka must be treated with respect.
The words of Ka Mate
Ringa pakia! Uma tiraha! Turi whatia! Hope whai ake! Waewae takahia kia kino! Ka mate, ka mate Ka ora' Ka ora' Ka mate, ka mate Ka ora Ka ora " Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru Nāna i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā A Upane! Ka Upane! Upane Kaupane" Whiti te rā,! Hī!
Translation
Slap the hands against the thighs! Puff out the chest. Bend the knees! Let the hip follow! Stomp the feet as hard as you can! I die, I die, I live, I live I die, I die, I live, I live, This is the hairy man ...Who caused the sun to shine again for me Up the ladder, Up the ladder Up to the top The sun shines! Rise!
Watch the video of ka mate:
The words of Kapa O Pango
Kapa o Pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau! Hī aue, hī! Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei! Au, au, aue hā! Ko Kapa o Pango e ngunguru nei! Au, au, aue hā! I āhahā! Ka tū te ihiihi Ka tū te wanawana Ki runga ki te rangi e tū iho nei, tū iho nei, hī! Ponga rā! Kapa o Pango, aue hī! Ponga rā! Kapa o Pango, aue hī, hā!
Translation
All Blacks, let me become one with the land This is our land that rumbles It’s my time! It’s my moment! This defines us as the All Blacks It’s my time! It’s my moment! Our dominance Our supremacy will triumph And be placed on high Silver fern! All Blacks! Silver fern! All Blacks!
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The Haka
Origin of the HakaHaka is the generic name for all Maori dances. Today, Haka is defined as that part of the Maori dance repertoire where the men are to the fore with the women lending vocal support in the rear. Most Haka seen today are Haka taparahi, Haka without weapons.
More than any aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race. The Haka is not merely a past time of the Maori but was also a custom of high social importance in the welcoming and entertainment of visitors. Tribal reputation rose and fell based on their ability to perform the Haka. The Haka reflected the concerns and issues of the time, of defiance and protest, of factual occurrences and events at any given time.
History of the Haka
The first use of the haka was attributed to the chief Tinirau and some of his womenfolk. Tinirau desired revenge for the killing of a pet whale, so he sent a hunting party of women to find the man responsible, an old tohunga or priest called Kae.The women didn't know what Kae looked like, but they knew he had uneven teeth that overlapped. When the women arrived at Kae's village they performed the haka to force a smile from the men in order to uncover Kae's identity. Kae was captured and taken back to Tinirau's village where he was killed.
Meaning of the Haka
To most people, the haka is a war dance. This is understandable as many have seen the haka performed as a pre-battle challenge to their opponents.But the word "haka" simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance. While they are the correct terms to associate with the haka, they do not do justice to the life force, the actions, words, rhythm, themes, meaning, style or history that are the haka. While there are many variations between the types of war dance, the common feature is that they are all performed with weapons.
The elaborate form of the traditional challenge is not often seen these days. It is largely reserved for special occasions, such as visits by senior dignitaries.
How the Haka is used Today
New Zealanders have grown accustomed to the use of the Haka by sporting teams. They thrill to the spectacle of the All Blacks forming ranks prior to kick off. The modern All Blacks perform the Haka with passion and pride. They have reclaimed the dignity and mystique attached to this traditional art form and in the process, increased its recognition as an icon of New Zealand.The Haka has come to symbolise the power of the All Blacks and their status in the world of rugby. The team leaves an impression of invincibility and ruthlessness. That impression is in no small part due to the potency with which the All Blacks perform the haka.
New Zealand trade delegations and other official functions overseas are increasingly requesting haka groups to accompany them. New Zealanders increasingly recognise that the haka must be treated with respect.
The words of Ka Mate
Ringa pakia!
Uma tiraha!
Turi whatia!
Hope whai ake!
Waewae takahia kia kino!
Ka mate, ka mate
Ka ora' Ka ora'
Ka mate, ka mate
Ka ora Ka ora "
Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru
Nāna i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā
A Upane! Ka Upane!
Upane Kaupane"
Whiti te rā,!
Hī!
Translation
Slap the hands against the thighs!
Puff out the chest.
Bend the knees!
Let the hip follow!
Stomp the feet as hard as you can!
I die, I die,
I live, I live
I die, I die,
I live, I live,
This is the hairy man
...Who caused the sun to shine again for me
Up the ladder, Up the ladder
Up to the top
The sun shines!
Rise!
Watch the video of ka mate:
The words of Kapa O Pango
Kapa o Pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau!
Hī aue, hī!
Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei!
Au, au, aue hā!
Ko Kapa o Pango e ngunguru nei!
Au, au, aue hā!
I āhahā!
Ka tū te ihiihi
Ka tū te wanawana
Ki runga ki te rangi e tū iho nei, tū iho nei, hī!
Ponga rā!
Kapa o Pango, aue hī!
Ponga rā!
Kapa o Pango, aue hī, hā!
Translation
All Blacks, let me become one with the land
This is our land that rumbles
It’s my time! It’s my moment!
This defines us as the All Blacks
It’s my time! It’s my moment!
Our dominance
Our supremacy will triumph
And be placed on high
Silver fern!
All Blacks!
Silver fern!
All Blacks!
Watch the video of Kapa o Pango:
Adapted from:
http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealand/about-new-zealand/haka.html
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=haka
http://www.haka.co.nz/haka.php
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http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47621644/haka.htm